after 12 years of waiting, France’s “great relief” at the inauguration of the EPR in Finland

Before the war in Ukraine, Finland imported 10% of its electricity consumption from Russia. Now it’s over, the authorities say. But the wait was long. After 13 years of delay, the EPR nuclear reactor, Olkiluoto 3, of Franco-German design, was inaugurated with great fanfare on Thursday, September 28, in Finland. Commissioned last April, this flagship of French industry, the project of which was launched 20 years ago, experienced technical setbacks.

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These setbacks are now mentioned with irony by the Finnish operator, TVO. “For the next 60 years, we will be able to produce green and stable energy for Finland. Of course, our nerves have been tested, recognizes Jarmo Tanhua, president and general manager. But at no time did we doubt.”

“You never had any doubts, really?”, asks the mistress of ceremonies. An angel passes by, laughter in the audience. “I always said it would be a super powerhouse!”replies Jarmo Tanhua.

Seven out of ten Finns in favor of nuclear power

On the French side, we are delighted to finally see the project brought to fruition. “A great relief, underlines Driss Lourighli, director of the Areva OL3 project, in charge of the consortium with the German Siemens. And above all, a big congratulations to all the teams involved in delivering this power plant to the citizens of Finland. We are very proud to have delivered this product, the most powerful in Europe.”

The plant is particularly safe, insists Areva. Today, the 1,600 megawatt reactor, or 15% of the electricity consumed in Finland, allows the country to be self-sufficient. In Finland, seven out of ten inhabitants say they are in favor of nuclear energy.